Ats20 Firmware ❲Editor's Choice❳

Updating the firmware on an radio is the single best way to improve its usability, as the stock firmware (typically version 1.1.5) is often considered functional but basic. Popular Firmware Options ATS_EX (Goshante) : Widely considered the best upgrade for the standard ATS20/ATS20+. It features a completely reworked, non-stretched UI and replaces the clunky BFO menu with seamless frequency surfing. H.J. Berndt Firmware : A feature-rich alternative that adds advanced tools like an RTTY/CW decoder , signal plotter, and a waterfall display. PU2CLR (Ricardo Caratti) : The foundational community firmware that many others are built upon. It provides reliable SSB support and expanded band coverage. Key Feature Improvements Lets upgrade the ATS 20+

Go to product viewer dialog for this item. receiver, often based on the ATmega328P Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (Arduino Nano or Uno boards), can be upgraded with community firmwares like PU2CLR or Goshante's ATS_EX to unlock SSB, expanded band coverage, and better UI. 🛠️ Common Firmware Options PU2CLR SI4735 : Highly stable, open-source library supporting multiple receiver variants. Goshante ATS_EX : Offers a redesigned interface and better tuning, though memory limits may prevent new feature additions. Stock V1.1.5 : The factory default for many units; some users prefer to revert to this if community builds have bugs. 📥 Flashing Methods Updating typically requires a straight-through USB data cable (not just a charging cable) and a PC with the correct CH340/CH341 drivers installed.

The story of the firmware is one of a community-driven transformation, where independent developers turned a simple "toy" radio into a versatile tool for amateur radio enthusiasts. The Evolution of the Firmware The Original (V1.1.5): Most ATS-20 units ship with stock firmware based on the PU2CLR Si4735 library . While functional, it is often viewed as basic, providing standard broadcast AM/FM and shortwave reception. The Game Changer (Goshante/ATS_EX): Developer Goshante released a "re-imagined" firmware that pushed the hardware to its absolute limits. This version introduced a completely reworked interface, replaced "ugly" stretched fonts with readable ones, and added advanced features like SSB (Single Side Band) and CW (Morse code) support with tuning steps as low as 10Hz. The Memory Wall: The ATS-20's Arduino-based hardware has hit its physical flash memory limit. Because the Goshante firmware is so optimized and takes up nearly all available space, the developer has stated no new features can be added without removing existing ones. ATS20 SUPER FIRMWARE INSTALL,Goshante v1.18

The Ultimate Guide to ATS20 Firmware: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Receiver The ATS20 (and its popular successor, the ATS20+) is a staple in the world of low-cost SDR (Software Defined Radio) and portable shortwave listening. For under $50, hobbyists get a compact, Si4732-based radio capable of SSB (Single Sideband), AM, and FM reception. However, the stock software these devices ship with often leaves much to be desired. The secret to transforming this budget radio into a powerful DXing tool lies in one phrase: ATS20 firmware. Whether you are experiencing display glitches, poor audio filtering, or simply want to add new features like spectrum scopes, updating the firmware is the best upgrade you can perform. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Part 1: What is ATS20 Firmware? In simple terms, firmware is the operating system of the radio. It is the software permanently stored on the microcontroller (usually an ATmega328 or similar) that governs: ats20 firmware

User Interface (UI): How the buttons, encoder wheel, and display interact. Tuning Algorithms: How fast you scan frequencies and how the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) behaves. Demodulation: How the radio processes SSB, AM, and NFM signals.

The original ATS20 firmware is functional but barebones. Community developers have reverse-engineered the hardware to create custom firmware that dramatically improves performance. Part 2: Why Should You Update Your ATS20 Firmware? If your radio arrived from China last week, it likely has outdated firmware. Here is why you should flash a new version immediately: 1. The "SI4735" Bug Fix Many ATS20 units use the Si4732 chip, but the stock firmware sometimes misidentifies it as an Si4735. This causes band limits to be incorrect. Custom firmware correctly identifies the hardware. 2. True SSB Support Stock firmware often delivers distorted SSB audio with a noticeable "pilot tone" (a high-pitched whine). Community firmware like ATS20-Enhanced adds proper BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) calibration, making ham radio conversations intelligible. 3. Bandwidth Control One of the biggest complaints about the stock firmware is the lack of selectable filters. Modern custom firmware allows you to choose between 1.0 kHz, 2.2 kHz, 3.0 kHz, and 4.0 kHz bandwidths for AM and SSB, drastically reducing adjacent station interference. 4. The Spectrum Waterfall (ATS20+ Only) The most exciting feature added by firmware like PU2CLR's SSB library is a rudimentary spectrum scope . Using the radio’s internal ADC, the screen can display a live waterfall of signals up/down the band. 5. Ergonomic Tuning Custom firmware introduces "speed-sensitive tuning." Turn the encoder slowly for 10 Hz steps (fine tuning for SSB) or spin it fast for 1 MHz jumps. Part 3: Types of ATS20 Firmware (Which one is right for you?) Before downloading, identify your hardware. The original ATS20 uses a blue PCB and an ATmega328. The ATS20+ uses a red PCB and often includes a battery charging IC. Do not mix them up. Here are the three major firmware branches: Option A: Official Stock (Not Recommended)

Pros: Zero risk, no flashing needed. Cons: Buggy SSB, no bandwidth control, slow tuning. Verdict: Only use if you brick your device and need to revert. Updating the firmware on an radio is the

Option B: ATS20-Enhanced (Best for Beginners)

Features: Adds a battery voltage meter, 5 selectable bandwidths, and fixed squelch. Flashing difficulty: Easy. Use case: General shortwave listening (SWL) and AM broadcast.

Option C: PU2CLR Si473X Library (The Gold Standard) It provides reliable SSB support and expanded band coverage

Features: Professional SSB calibration, "Longwave" mode (100 kHz-500 kHz), spectrum scope, and user-defined band limits. Flashing difficulty: Moderate (requires Arduino IDE). Use case: Ham radio operators, DXers, and tech enthusiasts.

Option D: ATS20_S Meter Mod (Specialty)